How to print with Ultimaker Nylon

Nylon (polyamide) is widely used by manufacturers to 3D print strong end-use parts and functional prototypes that require durability and abrasion resistance. Ultimaker Nylon is designed to be more reliable and easier to print with than other nylon filaments on the market and features low moisture absorption and good adhesion to the build plate.

Besides single-extrusion prints, Ultimaker Nylon can be printed in combination with PVA on the Ultimaker 3. Printing Nylon in combination with TPU 95A or another color of Nylon can be done experimentally.

Always use the latest version of Cura and make sure that your printer is updated with the latest firmware version to include the correct material profile for Nylon.

Recommended settings
Temperatures
Ultimaker Nylon is printed at a build plate temperature of 60 °C. The nozzle temperature differs per printer and nozzle size. For the best print results, we advise using the following temperatures:

Note: On the Ultimaker 3, the nozzle and build plate temperatures on the first layer may be different due to the ‘Print Temperature Initial Layer’ and ‘Build Plate Temperature Initial Layer’ settings in Cura.

The temperatures listed in the table are used for the Ultimaker Nylon print profiles in Cura. For best results, it is crucial to always select the right printer, nozzle diameter, and material in Cura. Also, make sure you have selected the correct material on your Ultimaker 3D printer.

Cooling

Nylon requires some cooling and therefore the fan speed is set to 35 – 40 % in the Cura profiles. This ensures optimal form retention and helps avoid problems with layer bonding. For shorter layers with more detail, the print cooling fan speed will gradually increase to 100 %.

Adhesion

Ultimaker Nylon sticks well to the build plate. In most instances, extra adhesives are not necessary for a successful print.

Accessories

For good build plate adhesion, apply a thin layer of glue (included in the accessory box of your 3D printer) to the glass plate.

The adhesion sheets of the Advanced 3D Printing Kit can be used for even better adhesion.

Cura build plate adhesion settings

The Cura profiles for Ultimaker Nylon have been optimized to print with either a brim or a raft, depending on the selected printer. In the Ultimaker 3 profiles a brim is selected by default, while the Ultimaker 2+ profiles use a raft as platform adhesion type. This raft is especially recommended for large models, while for smaller models a brim should be sufficient.

When using a raft, it is recommended to remove it when the build plate is still warm. This will make removal of the raft easier.

For more tips on how to improve the build plate adhesion, see this page.

Printing conditions

Ultimaker Nylon is not prone to warp or delaminate, and does not need additional accessories to create a good printing environment. Optionally, the front enclosure of the Advanced 3D Printing Kit can be used to get more consistent and reliable 3D prints.

Health and safety

Ultimaker Nylon is safe to print when using the recommended temperature settings listed above. To ensure a comfortable and healthy environment we recommend 3D printing in a well-ventilated area.